Emirates airline has introduced yet another initiative to simplify travel with the launch of ‘Purchase your UAE visa online’. Emirates is the only airline in the Middle East to offer this complete online visa solution to its passengers visiting its hub – Dubai, UAE – for business or leisure.

The feature – an extension of the online flight booking process on www.emirates.com – can be accessed by valid Emirates ticket holders from 35 select countries. Only 30-day and 96-hour visit visas to Dubai, UAE are available through the new feature, subject to all pre-requisites being met. The pre-requisites are defined by Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) as it takes the decision to grant the visa. (www.dnrd.gov.ae ).

A 96-hour visa will cost US$ 44 while a 30-day visa will cost US$ 57. Service fees are applied separately.

Visas are delivered via email within four international working days. Passengers can continually track the status of their applications via www.emirates.com

Richard Vaughan, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide noted: “Advancements in aviation are often related to simplifications in the travel process. I’m delighted Emirates is advancing travel convenience by allowing its customers to apply, purchase and track their UAE visa online – another initiative in a series of self-service tools that offer more convenience, flexibility and control to passengers. Taking place from the comfort of one’s home, office or hotel, it requires none of the running around often associated with submitting forms, securing approvals and collecting visas.

“It also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Dubai and its tourism industry. The timely introduction of this feature ahead of the summer rush will facilitate travel for scores of tourists visiting the emirate during the Dubai Summer Surprises.”

Groups and families stand to gain significantly as the feature accepts multiple requests of up to nine people as long as they are on the same booking. It is available to Emirates ticket holders regardless of whether the booking is facilitated via www.emirates.com, an Emirates office or a travel agent.

In its initial phase the facility is being rolled out in 35 countries* in the Far East, Indian sub-continent, Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. In the second phase, due to roll out in the coming weeks, offline markets will be targeted. These comprise countries that do not have Emirates services, but which connect to nearby gateways of the Dubai-based airline.

Passengers click ‘Manage Your Booking’ on www.emirates.com and proceed with seven simple steps to complete the transaction. Passengers have the flexibility to request visas at the time of or after the flight booking has been completed.

Emirates has partnered with VFS Global to introduce this feature. VFS Global – a part of Switzerland-based Kuoni Travel Group – is a specialist partner for diplomatic missions worldwide, processing over 7 million (contracted) visa applications per year. It operates the Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) in 11 countries. DVPC does not process work visas.

All passengers travelling after May 4 2009 can now travel with an extra 10 kg of luggage.

The move means that the free baggage allowances are now:

• Economy Class – 30 kg
• Business Class – 40 kg
• First Class – 50 kg

Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President Revenue Optimisation, said ‘Emirates has moved to these new free baggage levels to further demonstrate our commitment to putting the passenger first. By offering travellers the flexibility to carry significantly more baggage we will be allowing them to take more gifts for family and friends or take advantage of the outstanding shopping in Dubai and across the extensive network of Emirates destinations.’

From June 1 2009 the super-jumbos will be switched to the Dubai-Toronto and the Dubai-Bangkok services. New York will now be served by the smaller Boeing B777-300ER.

The change has been brought about by a drop in demand on the New York route.

The airline says the move has been prompted by lower fuel prices.

Best Long-Haul Airline

1 Singapore Airlines
2 British Airways
3 Virgin Atlantic
4 Emirates

Best Economy Class Airline

1 Singapore Airlines
2 British Airways
3 Virgin Atlantic
4 Emirates

Best Middle Eastern Airline

1 Emirates
2 Qatar Airways
3 Etihad Airways
4 El Al

Best Business Hotel Chain in the Middle East

1 Jumeirah
2 Hilton
3 InterContinental
4 Sheraton

Best Business Hotel Worldwide

1 Shangri-La Singapore
2 The Peninsula Hong Kong
3 InterContinental Hong Kong
4 Jumeirah Emirates Towers Dubai

Best New Business Hotel

1 Grosvenor House Dubai
2 St Regis Singapore
3 Four Seasons Hong Kong
4 Hilton London Canary Wharf

Best Business Hotel in the Middle East

1 Jumeirah Emirates Towers Dubai
2 Burj Al Arab Dubai
3 Grosvenor House Dubai
4 Shangri-La Dubai

Best Resort Hotel

1 Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai
2 Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Muscat
3 Madinat Jumeirah Dubai
4 Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Penang

Best Airport in the World

1 Singapore Changi Airport
2 Hong Kong International Airport
3 Dubai International Airport
4 Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Best Airport for Duty-Free Shopping

1 Singapore Changi Airport
2 Dubai International Airport
3 London Heathrow Airport
4 Hong Kong International Airport

Terminal 3 will be used exclusively by Emirates airline and will almost double the airport’s passenger capacity from 34 million passengers per year to 60 million. It is specifically designed to handle Emirates’ fleet of Airbus A380 jumbo jets.

Passengers are requested to check in 2 hours before their scheduled departure time and be at the boarding gate 35 minutes before their flight departs. Passengers will be advised of the new 15 minute gate closure policy at check in.

Mohammed H Mattar, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Airport Services said, ‘Emirates is implementing the 15-minute before departure gate closure in consideration of our customers who arrive on time for their flights. The new policy will allow aircraft to take off as scheduled as it takes about 15 minutes to locate and off-load the baggage of missing or late customers.’